كَأَنَّ عَلى أَنيابِها المِسكَ شابَهُ

بُعَيدَ الكَرى مِن آخِرِ اللَيلِ عابُقُ

As though musk were upon her teeth perfuming

her breath, from end of night, blows far and wide,

وَما ذُقتُهُ إِلّا بِعَينَي تَفَرُّساً

كَما شيمَ في أَعلى السَحابَةِ بارِقُ

And I but tasted it from watching glances,

as lightning’s flashed sensed in the clouds on high.

يَضُمُّ إِليَّ اللَيلُ أَطفالَ حُبِّها

كَما ضَمَّ أَردانَ القَميصِ البَنائِقُ

The night folds in its arms all of her loved ones,

as draws the coat its clinging buttons nigh.